Weston-super-Mare’s ‘Take Five’ Festival Promotes Wellbeing

The upcoming ‘Take Five’ festival is set to highlight the myriad opportunities available year-round in Weston-super-Mare that promote wellbeing through arts and health initiatives. This four-day event encourages participants to take just five minutes each day to pause and engage in enjoyable activities that boost mental and physical health.

Running for four days, the ‘Take Five’ festival embraces a tea party theme, with a variety of events scheduled at Western General Hospital, the beach, and other community venues. The festival is designed to raise awareness about the importance of taking small daily breaks for personal enjoyment and stress relief.

Fiona Matthews, the festival organiser, emphasised the hidden gems within the hospital that many are unaware of. “The hospital has musicians, poets, and artists in residence, which many people don’t know about. We wanted to share some of that brilliance with the wider public,” Matthews said.

Key highlights of the festival include:

• Charity Auction: Over 100 crocheted tea cosies, handcrafted by hospital volunteers and residents of Alliance Homes, a social housing provider, will be auctioned to raise funds for local causes.
• Planting Vintage Tea Cups: Visitors can plant seedlings in vintage tea cups, combining creativity with a touch of gardening.
• 1940s Themed Afternoon Tea Party: A special event on the beach for those aged over 60, inviting them to dress up and enjoy a glamorous afternoon tea reminiscent of the 1940s.

Ms. Matthews hopes the festival will introduce attendees to new activities they might not have considered before or felt too apprehensive to try. “The festival introduces people to things they perhaps wouldn’t consider otherwise joining, or may feel too nervous to try,” she explained.

The ‘Take Five’ festival is not just about the events during these four days but also aims to showcase ongoing opportunities in Weston-super-Mare that contribute to overall wellbeing. The integration of arts within healthcare settings and community spaces highlights the town’s commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for all its residents.